Adjustable stirrup suspension for saddles



March 25, 1947. c. e. WELLS ADJUSTABLE STIRRUP SUSPENSION FOR SADDLESFiled Dec. :5, 1945 aulvr a. wsus Patented Mar. 25, 1947 iumreo STATESPATENT OFFICE Clint G. Wells, Galveston, Tex.

Application December 3, 1945, Serial No. 632,365

2 Claims.

My invention relates to horse saddles and has for an object to providemeans whereby the position of the stirrup straps may be adjusted toeither an English type or Western type stirrup position.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a saddle means wherebythe stirrup straps may be changed to any one of a plurality of suspendedpositions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stirrup strapsuspension means whereby the position of the straps may be changed whileriding a horse and without stopping its movement.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying illustrative drawings inwhich:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of my stirrup strap suspension,

Figure 2 is a similar view from the opposite side thereof,

Figure 3 is an elevational view illustrating the application of mydevice to a Western type stock saddle, and

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the stirrups in adjusted position.

In the above drawings as well as in the specification to follow, thesame characters of reference indicate the same parts throughout.

While one embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the abovereferred to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely forthe purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction maybe resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the inventionmay be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances whichmay arise, without in any way departing from the spirit and intention ofmy device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appendedclaims. And while I have stated the primary field of utility of myinvention it remains obvious that it may be employed in any othercapacity wherein it may be found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings, a saddle broadly is generally indicated bythe numeral l and includes a saddle tree H, to the forward side wall l2of which are attached by the connecting members l3 and M, thelongitudinally extending stirrup strap supporting plates [5 formed withupwardly curved terminal ends l6 and I1, and with an undercut upstandingcentrally disposed member l8, which separates said plate l5 into twospaced stirrup straps supporting seats l9 and 20 for selectivelypositioning the stirrup straps 2|.

2 The member I8, is provided with a curved in edge 22, of its neck 23,to provide a recess into which the edge 24, of the strap 2|, may seatwhen said strap is suspended from the seat 20, whereby the strap will beprevented from jumping the member I8, as its overhanging portion 25,will prevent such action. The member I5, is slightly held out from thesaddle tree or padding thereon to permit free sliding movement of thestrap backward or forward in order that the location of the strap may bechanged while riding.

The standard conventional stirrup position on Western stock saddles isabsolutely necessary when the rider rises from the seat to throw alariat or to shift most of his weight to his feet to relieve the severejolting of a rough gaited trot.

The forward stirrup position which approximates the stirrup suspensionon all English type or flat riding saddles is far more comfortable andefiicient for all types and conditions of riding other than two specialcases explained in the paragraph above.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement of detail and parts such ascome within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to, inactual practice, if desired.

Having now described my invention that which I claim as new and desireto procure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a saddle construction including a saddle tree having opposedstirrups and stirrup supporting straps, of means for variablypositioning and supporting said stirrup straps on said saddle treeincluding plates secured to the opposite sides of said saddle tree inspaced relation thereto, centrally disposed upstanding members andspaced upwardly extending attaching ends on said plates forming spacedopposed forward and rear seats, whereby the stirrup straps may beselectively engaged with said seats and may be shiftable from one to theother by sliding the straps over said centrally disposed upstandingmembers.

2. In a saddle construction including a saddle tree having opposedstirrups and stirrup supporting straps, of means for variablypositioning and supporting said stirrup straps on said saddle treeincluding plates secured to the opposite sides 3 of said saddle tree inspaced relation thereto, undercut centrally disposed upstanding membersand spaced upwardly extending attaching ends on said plates formingspaced forward and rear seats, whereby the stirrup straps may be selec-5 9,418,103 l f i p;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file ofthis patent: 3

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 8,454 Salomon Oct. 21, 1851767,003 Mason Aug. 9, 1904 10 2,008,548 Greene July 16, 1935 2,315,487Steele Apri. 6, 1943

